Today I arrived in Santiago!! As I approached the main piazza for the Cathedral my eyes filled with tears, I knew the end was near and I couldn't believe it. The Celtic music of Galicia welcomed new arrivals with appropriate intensity. I passed and embraced a number of familiar faces. The cathedral dwarfed everyone near it. It had an all seeing eye that informed those in its gaze with a message personal to each arriving pilgrim. My message was clear. I had...

After breakfast it was quite late ie 9am before I started trekking. The path was simple and clear, more of the same,like yesterday. However, this time the path went through even more woods full of enormous eucalyptus trees. The smell of eucalyptus was overwhelming and in the humidity of the day helped to give an extra boost to the walking effort. I stopped for a picnic lunch with a friend, a boccodillo of delicious cooked ham and tomatoes. One of the things tha...

Well I really didn't feel like walking much today. The end is in sight with around 50 to 60 km to go, peanuts really in comparison. It wasn't so hot this morning which was good because my legs ached and motivation was waning and I didn't feel like walking much anymore. The final stop was Melide a pretty provincial town with a very famous Polperio ie Octopus restaurant. Octopus is a delicacy of Galicia. Apparently the men of the region go out and hunt Octopi whil...

I'd like to say a bit about the range of different types of buildings that are indigenous to each of the regions I have walked through: between Burgos and Leon I was made aware of houses built into little hills, a bit like Bilbo Baggins abode. Then I passed many houses made of straw and mud, a bit like the one the three little pigs built. Next houses for doves! I can call them houses because I wouldn't have minded living in them , they were big enough and beautif...

I left Sarria late as I was staying in a place that allowed you to leave whenever you wanted in the morning!! The path was adorable. Some of it quintessential English country garden. I recognised some of the vistas immediately as being home from home. One of the most fascinating events on this part of the Camino was watching roaming cows being herded by German Shepherd dogs. Farming pastures were in real abundance here. Had it not been for the searing heat I c...